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Volcano eruption kills more than 10 people

Associated Press
9:04 p.m. CST February 3, 2014

In this photograph taken on February 1, 2014 residents run away to escape from hot volcanic ash clouds engulfing villages in Karo district during the eruption of Mount Sinabung volcano located in Indonesia's Sumatra island. Rescuers launch search operations on February 2, 2014 for victims of eruption while fourteen people, including four schoolchildren, were killed February 1 after they were engulfed by scorching ash clouds spat out by Indonesia's Mount Sinabung in its biggest eruption in recent days, officials said. (Photo: AFP AFP/Getty Images)

In this night time long-exposure photograph taken on January 27, 2014 from Karo district, molten lava flow downs from the crater of Mount Sinabung volcano during an eruption. Authorities said almost 29,000 people have fled their homes following a series of eruptions and lava flows from Mount Sinabung volcano located in Indonesia's western island of Sumatra. (Photo: AFP AFP/Getty Images)

A man looks on as Mount Sinabung erupts near Bekerah village, in Karo district, North Sumatra, on February 1, 2014. Three men were burned and taken to hospital after being engulfed in heat clouds of Mount Sinabung in Indonesia, local officials said. (Photo: AFP AFP/Getty Images)

A giant cloud of hot volcanic ash clouds engulfs villages in Karo district during the eruption of Mount Sinabung volcano located in Indonesia's Sumatra island on February 1, 2014. Fourteen people, including four schoolchildren, were killed February 1 after they were engulfed by scorching ash clouds spat out by Indonesia's Mount Sinabung in its biggest eruption in recent days, officials said. (Photo: AFP AFP/Getty Images)

A resident runs away to escape from hot volcanic ash clouds engulfing villages in Karo district during the eruption of Mount Sinabung volcano located in Indonesia's Sumatra island on February 1, 2014. Fourteen people, including four schoolchildren, were killed February 1 after they were engulfed by scorching ash clouds spat out by Indonesia's Mount Sinabung in its biggest eruption in recent days, officials said. (Photo: AFP AFP/Getty Images)

Residents run away to escape from hot volcanic ash clouds engulfing villages in Karo district during the eruption of Mount Sinabung volcano located in Indonesia's Sumatra island on February 1, 2014. Fourteen people, including four schoolchildren, were killed February 1 after they were engulfed by scorching ash clouds spat out by Indonesia's Mount Sinabung in its biggest eruption in recent days, officials said. (Photo: AFP AFP/Getty Images)

A resident looks at giant volcanic ash clouds from a village in Karo district during the eruption of Mount Sinabung volcano located in Indonesia's Sumatra island on February 1, 2014. Fourteen people, including four schoolchildren, were killed February 1 after they were engulfed by scorching ash clouds spat out by Indonesia's Mount Sinabung in its biggest eruption in recent days, officials said. (Photo: AFP AFP/Getty Images)

A resident evacuates from hot volcanic ash clouds engulfing villages in Karo district during the eruption of Mount Sinabung volcano located in Indonesia's Sumatra island on February 1, 2014. Fourteen people, including four schoolchildren, were killed February 1 after they were engulfed by scorching ash clouds spat out by Indonesia's Mount Sinabung in its biggest eruption in recent days, officials said. (Photo: AFP AFP/Getty Images)

Residents rest after evacuating from villages engulfed by giant volcanic ash clouds in Karo district during the eruption of Mount Sinabung volcano located in Indonesia's Sumatra island on February 1, 2014. Fourteen people, including four schoolchildren, were killed February 1 after they were engulfed by scorching ash clouds spat out by Indonesia's Mount Sinabung in its biggest eruption in recent days, officials said. (Photo: AFP AFP/Getty Images)

A giant cloud of hot volcanic ash clouds engulfs villages in Karo district during the eruption of Mount Sinabung volcano located in Indonesia's Sumatra island on February 1, 2014. Fourteen people, including four schoolchildren, were killed February 1 after they were engulfed by scorching ash clouds spat out by Indonesia's Mount Sinabung in its biggest eruption in recent days, officials said. (Photo: AFP AFP/Getty Images)

Indonesian rescuers walk past abandoned motorcycles as they search for victims in the ash covered two-kilometer danger zone from the crater of Mount Sinabung volcano in Karo district on February 2, 2014. Indonesian officials searched through thick ash for bodies after Mount Sinabung volcano erupted, killing at least 15 people, with the only sign of life an ownerless mobile phone ringing inside an abandoned bag. (Photo: AFP AFP/Getty Images)

Indonesian rescuers clear fallen trees in the ash-covered two-kilometer danger zone from the crater of Mount Sinabung volcano in Karo district on February 2, 2014 as teams search for victims of the eruption. Indonesian officials searched through thick ash for bodies after Mount Sinabung volcano erupted, killing at least 15 people, with the only sign of life an ownerless mobile phone ringing inside an abandoned bag. (Photo: AFP AFP/Getty Images)

Indonesian rescuers enter the ash-covered two-kilometer danger zone from the crater of Mount Sinabung volcano in Karo district on February 2, 2014 to look for more victims of the eruption. Indonesian officials searched through thick ash for bodies after Mount Sinabung volcano erupted, killing at least 15 people, with the only sign of life an ownerless mobile phone ringing inside an abandoned bag. (Photo: AFP AFP/Getty Images)

Indonesian rescuers lift an abandoned motorcycle in the ash-covered two-kilometre danger zone from the crater of Mount Sinabung volcano in Karo district on February 2, 2014 as teams look for more victims of the eruption. Indonesian officials searched through thick ash for bodies after Mount Sinabung volcano erupted, killing at least 15 people, with the only sign of life an ownerless mobile phone ringing inside an abandoned bag. (Photo: AFP AFP/Getty Images)

Indonesian rescuers enter the ash-covered two-kilometre danger zone from the crater of Mount Sinabung volcano in Karo district on February 2, 2014 to look for more victims of the eruption. Indonesian officials searched through thick ash for bodies after Mount Sinabung volcano erupted, killing at least 15 people, with the only sign of life an ownerless mobile phone ringing inside an abandoned bag. (Photo: AFP AFP/Getty Images)

Indonesian rescuers enter an abandoned village as they search for victims around the ash-covered danger zone from Mount Sinabung volcano in Karo district on February 2, 2014. Indonesian officials searched through thick ash for bodies after Mount Sinabung volcano erupted, killing at least 15 people, with the only sign of life an ownerless mobile phone ringing inside an abandoned bag. (Photo: AFP AFP/Getty Images)

Indonesian rescuers enter an abandoned village as they search for victims around the ash-covered danger zone from Mount Sinabung volcano in Karo district on February 2, 2014. Indonesian officials searched through thick ash for bodies after Mount Sinabung volcano erupted, killing at least 15 people, with the only sign of life an ownerless mobile phone ringing inside an abandoned bag. (Photo: AFP AFP/Getty Images)

SUMATRA, INDONESIA - FEBRUARY 02: A woman cries during the burial of a victim that was killed after being hit by pyroclastic smoke from the eruption of Mount Sinabung on February 02, 2014 in Suka village, Karo District, North Sumatra, Indonesia. The number of displaced people has increased to around 30,000 in Western Indonesia as Mount Sinabung continues to spew ash and smoke after a series of several eruptions since September. At least 15 people have been killed in a eruption of Mount Sinabung, as residents returned to their local homes after they were told by authorities that activity was decreasing. (Photo: Ulet Ifansasti Getty Images)

SUMATRA, INDONESIA - FEBRUARY 02: Relatives pray during the burial of a victim that was killed after being hit by pyroclastic smoke from the eruption of Mount Sinabung on February 02, 2014 in Suka village, Karo District, North Sumatra, Indonesia. The number of displaced people has increased to around 30,000 in Western Indonesia as Mount Sinabung continues to spew ash and smoke after a series of several eruptions since September. At least 15 people have been killed in a eruption of Mount Sinabung, as residents returned to their local homes after they were told by authorities that activity was decreasing. (Photo: Ulet Ifansasti Getty Images)

SUMATRA, INDONESIA - FEBRUARY 02: Relatives carry a coffin during the burial of a victim that was killed after being hit by pyroclastic smoke from the eruption of Mount Sinabung on February 02, 2014 in Suka village, Karo District, North Sumatra, Indonesia. The number of displaced people has increased to around 30,000 in Western Indonesia as Mount Sinabung continues to spew ash and smoke after a series of several eruptions since September. At least 15 people have been killed in a eruption of Mount Sinabung, as residents returned to their local homes after they were told by authorities that activity was decreasing. (Photo: Ulet Ifansasti Getty Images)

SUMATRA, INDONESIA - FEBRUARY 02: Relatives attend during the burial of a victim after hit by pyroclastic smoke from eruption of Mount Sinabung on February 02, 2014 in Suka village, Karo District, North Sumatra, Indonesia. The number of displaced people has increased to around 30,000 in Western Indonesia as Mount Sinabung continues to spew ash and smoke after a series of several eruptions since September. At least 15 people have been killed in a eruption of Mount Sinabung, as residents returned to their local homes after they were told by authorities that activity was decreasing. (Photo: Ulet Ifansasti Getty Images)

SUMATRA, INDONESIA - FEBRUARY 02: Relatives pray during the burial of a victim that was killed after being hit by pyroclastic smoke from the eruption of Mount Sinabung on February 02, 2014 in Suka village, Karo District, North Sumatra, Indonesia. The number of displaced people has increased to around 30,000 in Western Indonesia as Mount Sinabung continues to spew ash and smoke after a series of several eruptions since September. At least 15 people have been killed in a eruption of Mount Sinabung, as residents returned to their local homes after they were told by authorities that activity was decreasing. (Photo: Ulet Ifansasti Getty Images)

SUMATRA, INDONESIA - FEBRUARY 02: Relatives bury a victim that was killed after being hit by pyroclastic smoke from the eruption of Mount Sinabung on February 02, 2014 in Suka village, Karo District, North Sumatra, Indonesia. The number of displaced people has increased to around 30,000 in Western Indonesia as Mount Sinabung continues to spew ash and smoke after a series of several eruptions since September. At least 15 people have been killed in a eruption of Mount Sinabung, as residents returned to their local homes after they were told by authorities that activity was decreasing. (Photo: Ulet Ifansasti Getty Images)

SUMATRA, INDONESIA - FEBRUARY 02: A woman cries during the burial of a victim that was killed after being hit by pyroclastic smoke from the eruption of Mount Sinabung on February 02, 2014 in Suka village, Karo District, North Sumatra, Indonesia. The number of displaced people has increased to around 30,000 in Western Indonesia as Mount Sinabung continues to spew ash and smoke after a series of several eruptions since September. At least 15 people have been killed in a eruption of Mount Sinabung, as residents returned to their local homes after they were told by authorities that activity was decreasing. (Photo: Ulet Ifansasti Getty Images)

SUMATRA, INDONESIA - FEBRUARY 02: Relatives carry a coffin during the burial of a victim that was killed after being hit by pyroclastic smoke from the eruption of Mount Sinabung on February 02, 2014 in Suka village, Karo District, North Sumatra, Indonesia. The number of displaced people has increased to around 30,000 in Western Indonesia as Mount Sinabung continues to spew ash and smoke after a series of several eruptions since September. At least 15 people have been killed in a eruption of Mount Sinabung, as residents returned to their local homes after they were told by authorities that activity was decreasing. (Photo: Ulet Ifansasti Getty Images)

SUMATRA, INDONESIA - FEBRUARY 02: Relatives attend the burial of a victim that was killed after being hit by pyroclastic smoke from the eruption of Mount Sinabung on February 02, 2014 in Suka village, Karo District, North Sumatra, Indonesia. The number of displaced people has increased to around 30,000 in Western Indonesia as Mount Sinabung continues to spew ash and smoke after a series of several eruptions since September. At least 15 people have been killed in a eruption of Mount Sinabung, as residents returned to their local homes after they were told by authorities that activity was decreasing. (Photo: Ulet Ifansasti Getty Images)

SUMATRA, INDONESIA - FEBRUARY 02: Relatives attend during the burial of a victim that was killed after being hit by pyroclastic smoke from the eruption of Mount Sinabung on February 02, 2014 in Suka village, Karo District, North Sumatra, Indonesia. The number of displaced people has increased to around 30,000 in Western Indonesia as Mount Sinabung continues to spew ash and smoke after a series of several eruptions since September. At least 15 people have been killed in a eruption of Mount Sinabung, as residents returned to their local homes after they were told by authorities that activity was decreasing. (Photo: Ulet Ifansasti Getty Images)

SUMATRA, INDONESIA - FEBRUARY 02: Relatives attend the burial of a victim that was killed after being hit by pyroclastic smoke from the eruption of Mount Sinabung on February 02, 2014 in Suka village, Karo District, North Sumatra, Indonesia. The number of displaced people has increased to around 30,000 in Western Indonesia as Mount Sinabung continues to spew ash and smoke after a series of several eruptions since September. At least 15 people have been killed in a eruption of Mount Sinabung, as residents returned to their local homes after they were told by authorities that activity was decreasing. (Photo: Ulet Ifansasti Getty Images)

SUMATRA, INDONESIA - FEBRUARY 02: Relatives attend the burial of a victim that was killed after being hit by pyroclastic smoke from the eruption of Mount Sinabung on February 02, 2014 in Suka village, Karo District, North Sumatra, Indonesia. The number of displaced people has increased to around 30,000 in Western Indonesia as Mount Sinabung continues to spew ash and smoke after a series of several eruptions since September. At least 15 people have been killed in a eruption of Mount Sinabung, as residents returned to their local homes after they were told by authorities that activity was decreasing. (Photo: Ulet Ifansasti Getty Images)

SUMATRA, INDONESIA - FEBRUARY 02: Relatives carry a coffin during the burial of a victim that was killed after being hit by pyroclastic smoke from the eruption of Mount Sinabung on February 02, 2014 in Suka village, Karo District, North Sumatra, Indonesia. The number of displaced people has increased to around 30,000 in Western Indonesia as Mount Sinabung continues to spew ash and smoke after a series of several eruptions since September. At least 15 people have been killed in a eruption of Mount Sinabung, as residents returned to their local homes after they were told by authorities that activity was decreasing. (Photo: Ulet Ifansasti Getty Images)

A search and rescue team departs to mark the site where possibilities of dead victims lie on the slop of Sinabung mount in Karo on February 3, 2014. Indonesian officials searched through thick ash for bodies on February 2 after Mount Sinabung volcano erupted, killing at least 15 people, with the only sign of life an ownerless mobile phone ringing inside an abandoned bag. (Photo: ADEK BERRY AFP/Getty Images)

Mount Sinabung spews thick smoke and hot ash from its volcano in Karo on February 3, 2014. Indonesian officials searched through thick ash for bodies on February 2 after Mount Sinabung volcano erupted, killing at least 15 people, with the only sign of life an ownerless mobile phone ringing inside an abandoned bag. (Photo: ADEK BERRY AFP/Getty Images)

Mount Sinabung spews thick smoke and hot ash from its volcano in Karo on February 3, 2014. Indonesian officials searched through thick ash for bodies on February 2 after Mount Sinabung volcano erupted, killing at least 15 people, with the only sign of life an ownerless mobile phone ringing inside an abandoned bag. (Photo: ADEK BERRY AFP/Getty Images)

A motorist rides down a road as Mount Sinabung (in background) spews thick smoke and hot ash from its volcano in Karo on February 3, 2014. Indonesian officials searched through thick ash for bodies on February 2 after Mount Sinabung volcano erupted, killing at least 15 people, with the only sign of life an ownerless mobile phone ringing inside an abandoned bag. (Photo: ADEK BERRY AFP/Getty Images)

Mount Sinabung spews thick smoke and hot ash from its volcano in Karo on February 3, 2014. Indonesian officials searched through thick ash for bodies on February 2 after Mount Sinabung volcano erupted, killing at least 15 people, with the only sign of life an ownerless mobile phone ringing inside an abandoned bag. (Photo: ADEK BERRY AFP/Getty Images)

Mount Sinabung spews thick smoke and hot ash from its volcano in Karo on February 3, 2014. Indonesian officials searched through thick ash for bodies on February 2 after Mount Sinabung volcano erupted, killing at least 15 people, with the only sign of life an ownerless mobile phone ringing inside an abandoned bag. (Photo: ADEK BERRY AFP/Getty Images)

NORTH SUMATRA, INDONESIA - FEBRUARY 03: Mount Sinabung spews smoke, seen from Payung village on February 03, 2014 in Karo District, North Sumatra, Indonesia. The number of displaced people has increased to around 30,000 in Western Indonesia as Mount Sinabung continues to spew ash and smoke after a series of several eruptions since September. At least 15 people have been killed in a eruption of Mount Sinabung, as residents returned to their local homes after they were told by authorities that activity was decreasing. (Photo: Ulet Ifansasti Getty Images)

NORTH SUMATRA, INDONESIA - FEBRUARY 03: Mount Sinabung spews pyroclastic smoke, seen from Payung village on February 03, 2014 in Karo District, North Sumatra, Indonesia. The number of displaced people has increased to around 30,000 in Western Indonesia as Mount Sinabung continues to spew ash and smoke after a series of several eruptions since September. At least 15 people have been killed in a eruption of Mount Sinabung, as residents returned to their local homes after they were told by authorities that activity was decreasing. (Photo: Ulet Ifansasti Getty Images)

NORTH SUMATRA, INDONESIA - FEBRUARY 03: Mount Sinabung spews pyroclastic smoke, seen from Payung village on February 03, 2014 in Karo District, North Sumatra, Indonesia. The number of displaced people has increased to around 30,000 in Western Indonesia as Mount Sinabung continues to spew ash and smoke after a series of several eruptions since September. At least 15 people have been killed in a eruption of Mount Sinabung, as residents returned to their local homes after they were told by authorities that activity was decreasing. (Photo: Ulet Ifansasti Getty Images)

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MOUNT SINABUNG, Indonesia (AP) - A volcano in western Indonesia has unleashed fresh clouds of searing gas, killing at least 11 people and injuring three others.

National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho says several eruptions of Mount Sinabung in North Sumatra province on Saturday sent lava and pyroclastic flows down the southern slopes up to 4.5 kilometers (2.8 miles) away.

He says the volcano is still spitting clouds of gas and lava as high as 2,000 meters (6,500 feet), and the number of dead could rise as the rescue efforts are hampered by darkness.

Authorities on Friday allowed nearly 14,000 villagers to return home after they fled following previous eruptions.

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